Do you get paid sick days? (not the sexiest thread title, I know)

[Steph]

Discussion on another message board got me thinking.

The guy who posted the initial thread was pissed off that he was on a probation of sorts because he was absent 20 days a year. It's a Canadian message board & people are calling him down for his laziness. (He does sound like a bit of a tool).

A Canadian who recently moved to Nebraska said he gets no paid sick days.

I had 10 paid sick days at my last job. This job gives me six sick days & two personal days per year. The personal days can only be used once I've been here a year.

My father was a teacher & any unused sick days were rolled over to the next year & when he retired, he got to include them in his generous settlement package.

We don't get rollovers. :(

Anyway, that discussion got me curious about you peeps when you have to call in with the sniffles/Mental Health Days/etc.

Also, how often do you call in sick? Is it possible in your line of work? I admit, I pretty much always use my sick days as impromptu vacation days. Murphy's Law --the few times I get the flu or a cold, work's too busy for me to call in sick. :rolleyes:

[Oldfart]

I get 10 days per year, three without a medical certificate.

They do roll over (I have over 1200 hours) but I get none on separation.

To get any value out of them I would have to go on long term sick leave before separation.

We don't call in sick, only dead.

[LixyChick]

I get 2 "personal days" and 18 "vacation days" due to being at the company 9 years or so. My company is pretty flexible with time off "for reasons beyond your control". Just recently while Mr. Lixy was hospitalized I was able to use "vacation days" for the time I stayed with him, as long as I had a note from his doctor.

In 2001, from New Year's day till the 7th of January, I took off to stay with Mr. Lixy after his operation. He was so sick and nearly/could have died. My bosses were very understanding and let me use my vacation time, which I nearly used up. Later that summer I was able to take vacation time regardless that I used up most of it early in January.

I don't abuse their understanding and kindness...but they know if I "call in" I've got a good reason. When I am out it's a little chaotic and they scramble to rearrange who does what. In the end it all gets done...just a little differently and possibly a little slower.

[Steph]

To get any value out of them I would have to go on long term sick leave before separation.

We don't call in sick, only dead.

LOL @ the last sentence. Too true for too many.

How does the long term sick leave benefit your rolled-over days? If we go on long-term disability, the insurance company takes over. The sick days from work are irrelevant once the insurance company steps in to deal with the claim.

[dm383]

I think I may be in the minority here Steph!

I work for the National Health Service here in Scotland and, in many respects, we get a very generous sickness package. If we go on long-term sick, we are paid full-rate for sixmonths, then half-pay for another six months. After a year, they quite rightly look at whether you'd ever be going back, and a settlement can then be reached on an individual basis.

This kind of package is, I believe, also run by the Civil Service, local councils and the like. Police, Forces etc. have their own rules. Most people, in the UK at least, don't actually have "sick days" programmed to use - that seems more North America/Australasia-type thing.

(Or, I'm wrong again! :) )

DM

[Lilith]

I get ten days a year which averages 1 per month. 5 are sick and 5 are personal. Personal roll over but sick does not. And they only roll over for 1 year I believe. I never call in sick. I just don't. My kids need the stability. I have an aide who is constantly out and I consider her very undependable because I can't count on her to be there.

[Steph]

I think I may be in the minority here Steph!

I work for the National Health Service here in Scotland and, in many respects, we get a very generous sickness package. If we go on long-term sick, we are paid full-rate for sixmonths, then half-pay for another six months. After a year, they quite rightly look at whether you'd ever be going back, and a settlement can then be reached on an individual basis.

The person who started the thread on the other board is in the healthcare field as well. He argues that since he's dealt with SARS, violent HIV patients, patient death, etc., he should be permitted to take off as much time as he wants.

It seems he has wonderful benefits but abused them. :)

Do you have a good benefit package? This job gives me the best dental plan ever. I just have to make time to spend some time in the dentist's chair.


P.S. DM, mail me the dogs & horse

[Oldfart]

Steph, so long as it's sick leave, I'm fine.

If it's workers compensation, then it becomes the province of state insurance.

[Steph]

My kids need the stability. I have an aide who is constantly out and I consider her very undependable because I can't count on her to be there.

Doh! When I first read it, I thought you meant *your* kids but I'm thinking you're talking about the Lost Boys (let's face it, does any substitute teacher 'deserve' them? :) )?

I predict sdls may have something to say/rant about 'dependability'. :)

[dm383]

The person who started the thread on the other board is in the healthcare field as well. He argues that since he's dealt with SARS, violent HIV patients, patient death, etc., he should be permitted to take off as much time as he wants.

It seems he has wonderful benefits but abused them. :)

Do you have a good benefit package? This job gives me the best dental plan ever. I just have to make time to spend some time in the dentist's chair.


P.S. DM, mail me the dogs & horse

I'm in the Mental Health field, as you know, and we have our share of "dodgy stuff" to deal with!! (e.g., Hepatitis A, B, and C, AIDS/HIV, it goes on and on)... I have to say, I don't know anyone who takes time off over what they should, and definitely no-one who would use his excuse! (Lazy seems right to me!!)

As for benefits, over here all medical/dental treatment is (almost!) free at the point of delivery - that's what the National Health Service is all about. Natch, it is paid for, through our taxes and stuff.

Whatever you do though...... DON'T ask about pensions!! :mad:

Oh, btw........ re the dogs and horse.......... NO!! ;)

DM

[Steph]

Whatever you do though...... DON'T ask about pensions!! :mad:

Oh, btw........ re the dogs and horse.......... NO!! ;)

LOLOL I WAS going to ask about pensions. I actually have one with this place. I would have assumed you have a pension, too. I'm assuming you do but there are negotiations underway for a better deal?

OK, just the dogs then!

[Oldfart]

Steph,

Here in Oz there is no employer sponsored health or dental. You want 'em, you pay for 'em.

There is the most confusing mix of pension and superannuation also to deal with.

[Lilith]

To buy dental and health insurance would cost about 1/10th of my pay and then I'd still have huge out of pocket expenses.

[Steph]

superannuation

A scary word akin to audit

[Steph]

To buy dental and health insurance would cost about 1/10th of my pay and then I'd still have huge out of pocket expenses.

We should exchange pay stubs some time (not a come on :D )

The taxes we pay out of pocket are crazy but we do have a lot of companies who pay benefits. I have really good benefits with this company (again, Murphy's Law -- I'm too busy to use the benefits). We get fillings paid for 100%. Massage therapy is paid for to a reasonable extent.

From where do your out-of-pocket expenses stem?

[maddy]

sick time? It's unlimited - talk about creating a policy waiting to be abused. I don't use it ... well until this week when I called in dead. First time in 4 plus years. Others sneeze and are out for three days, go figure.

[Steph]

sick time? It's unlimited - talk about creating a policy waiting to be abused.

I know! Before I started working at the dating company, they had an unlimited sick day policy. I think employees got paid for those unlimited days, too!

[Coaster]

Help me please!!! I've been self employed for 25 yrs.............



What are sick days, personal days, mental health days and pensions????


j/k ofcourse.... no need to explain.... it would just depress me and I'd need a mental health day... unless it mad me sick, then............... :( :(

[sodaklostsoul]

Now Steph, don't get me started on dependable employees!!! :)

We have no sick days.

In order to maintain health/dental insurence you have to work at least 30 hours a week. Vacation time can not be used for a single sick day but can be used with an extended absence.

[imaginewithme]

Well, my *current job* I have no benefits. lol

My last job, I was allowed 10 sick days and I had 10 vacation days that I had worked up to after working there for so long. They did not roll over. Either use them or loose them. But, my employer and office manager started making up rules as they went along.

For example, I was pregnant and I had to go to my doctor every week toward the end of the pregnancy. My doctors office was an hour away, so I would make the appointment as late as possible and take the rest of the day off. I counted those hours as "sick time". Later they said "you're using that wrong, you're not sick, you're pregnant".

Nice time to tell me after the fact. Idiots.

[Booger]

I get no sick days do get a weeks paided vacation (40 hours) that they are flexable with how you use it. If you are sick you can use one of your vacations days just means you can't take a week off then.

Unpaid they are perty good about it just as long as someone dosn't take off to much time they don't say anything.

[jay-t]

we accrure 4hrs of sick leave a month and can carry up to 80hrs after you get 80 hrs they pay you for the extra hrs on Dec.15th.We don't get personal leave but we can use vac. for emergencys or use it 1 day at a time with 24hrs notice. 1yr to 5yrs is 2 weeks vac, 5to 10 yrs 3 weeks vac, after 10 yrs you get 3 weeks plus 1 day for each yr your there up to 5 weeks of vac. The other benefits are pretty fair also health,dental,eye care

[Scarecrow]

I get 12 sick days, 2 personal days and 3 weeks vacation time a year. Unused sick days roll over and unused personal days will be rolled into sick days. Vacation time does not rollover, but if unused you get payed for them(the taxes will kill you). I can accumulate 360 sick days, right now I have 260 of which I can use 240 for a years retirement service. I am hoping for an Early Retirement Incentive package to come out in the next few weeks. So at age 55 I will be able to retire(will have to have a part-time job to make ends meet) with close to 70% of my pay.

[maddy]

I can't begin to tell you how much I wish that I could get my vacation paid out to me. Or how much I wish our sick time were limited (yes, at unlimited it is paid). And upon limiting it, I would love a program like jay-t mentions where it gets paid out. Right now I feel like I have a benefit that I don't use.

[Bilbo]

I believe that I may be another lucky one when it comes to sick leave.
I receive 10 days per year
But as I am with a small private company, we have been able to come to an agreement concening sick leave and days off.
As an incentive, those of us that do not take sick days during the year, receive a bonus of 5 days pay at Xmas time and still retain our 1o day sick leave for the year, which does accumulate.
I have been with this company for just over two years and have around 450 hours leave available if needed

[scotzoidman]

I'm an independent contractor, I get no sick/vacation time, & no taxes withheld either.
The upside is, of course, I am my own boss, I work when I feel up to the task, & whenever my busy personal schedule allows...

[campingboy]

I get sick days - 1.25 per month. If I take any more 3 or more in a row I need a doctor’s note. I also get 10 holidays in the first year of employment. I also get extended travel, and health benefits - ambulance, drugs, eye, and dental.

I have read that the largest reason for middle income bankruptcy in the US is due to medical bills.

[txgrneyes]

Now I work for a city government and we get the following...

10 holidays
1 personal holiday and have to take it by the end of the year.

we get 120 hrs of sick time a year and they rollover until you quit. Although if you want to get any time from them before you leave you'll need to take some sick time off or stress leave but have to be under a doctors care to do so.

As far as Vacation we get
1-5 yrs of service 10 days
6-10 yrs of service 12 days
more than 10 yrs of service 15 days.

but they dont rollover we have to take them by the end of the year or sell them back to the city.

Now benefits are longevity, paid insurance for employee, dental plan, and travel and lodging expenses,and being vested in the retirement system 2 to 1.

[bare4you]

I get all the federal holidays, 4 hours per pay period for sick leave and 6 hours of annual leave per pay period

Since I don't get paid overtime, I get 1 hour comp time for every 1 hour of "overtime"

I have close to 300 hours of comp time and annual leave to use between now and the end of the year.....Does that tell you anything about my work ethic? I think it's called work-a-holic.

I haven't used a sick day in over 2 years

[Soundman]

I also get all the federal holidays, plus 10 sick days and 2 personal days a year. Additionally, we get vacation time:
1 - 5 years, 2 weeks
6 - 10 years, 3 weeks
11+ years, 4 weeks
In addition, Sr Vice Presidents and above get an additional week. I am in that group and have 7 years of service, so I get 4 weeks, most of which I never use and if it isn't used, it is lost.

I don't get paid overtime, but can get "comp time", which I then can't use for anything (so, what's the point?). In my departments, we have worked out an arrangement. If you work overtime, (and you aren't getting paid for it), come in late (or not at all) some other time. You still wind up getting screwed, but at least it is your own choice.

I usually use a lot of my sick time being out with my kids, taking them to the doctor, etc. With 3 of them, it is nearly impossible not to be out.

-Soundman

[dicksbro]

Before I retired I did get paid sick time. There was no specific limit, but if you went three days or more in a row, you needed a doctor's note to return to work and a quick check by the company doctor. Twice I had two weeks off following surgery. Actually that wasn't bad. The surgeon had originally estimated I'd be gone four. We did not have to use personal or vacation days for illness.

[Steph]

I guess I'm also lucky that I get three weeks vacation to start. It's also the first benefit package I've had that covers 100% of basic dentist bills -- cleanings, fillings, etc.